Bank knifemen admit kidnapping, robbery

Lewis Blackwood-Manukau and Richard Murray Cowell spent three weeks hatching a plan to rob the BNZ bank in Wellsford.

But within minutes of carrying out the plan they were in police custody and confessing to the crime.

Blackwood-Manukau, 19, and Cowell, 26, both process workers, appeared in North Shore District Court yesterday.

Each pleaded guilty to two charges of kidnapping and one of aggravated robbery after the early morning raid on June 20.

They made a brief appearance alongside the bank's former manager, Mark Andrew Scott, 39, and his partner, Vanessa Ada Scott, 27. The couple, who also face charges of kidnapping and aggravated robbery, did not plead and were remanded in custody.

According to the summary of facts, Blackwood-Manukau and Cowell dressed in white paper overalls and wore black hooded sweatshirts when they entered the bank just after the staff arrived about 8am.

They put on balaclavas and, armed with filleting knives, stormed the main reception area. Cowell also had a water bottle filled with petrol. As one staff member tried to flee, Blackwood-Manukau dragged her back behind a counter and punched her in the head. He bound her hands and feet with tape and put a balaclava over her head.

Cowell grabbed another bank worker, who was several months pregnant, and bound her with tape saying: "Just lie down there and don't say anything and you won't get hurt."

They seized thousands of dollars in cash, but police had already surrounded the building after being alerted to the robbery by a passer-by. Cowell was arrested as he left the bank and Blackwood-Manukau was caught a short distance away.

Louise Freyer, lawyer for Blackwood-Manukau, and Mike Levett, for Cowell, said the summary of facts was accepted. The pair will be sentenced on August 29.

Police allege Mark Scott was also involved, helping to hatch the plot then pretending to be a victim. They allege that Vanessa Scott joined Cowell and Blackwood-Manukau in taking money from the safe. A total of $130,000 was taken.

Mark and Vanessa Scott face a pre-depositions hearing on August 3.